Want to know how to have an epic visit to Bath? Short answer, simply just go there! Bath really took my breath away. It’s quaint cobblestone streets and the rich history and architecture put Bath on the map a long time ago. But times are changing and what you may not know about Bath is that it is full of unexpected surprises!
Visit Bath and the University of Bath invited me down to show me exactly what Bath has to offer. From stand up paddle boarding to tiny craft breweries and even the University grounds where visitors can rent out the student rooms (which are super fancy, may I add) at a great price.
So, if you’re looking to spice up your trip to this iconic part of Britain, here are 7 things you need to put on your Bath bucket list!
1. Beer tasting at Electric Bear Brewery
If a cheeky micro IPA or a tongue-tingling sour beer is up your alley, then look no further than the Electric Bear Brewing house! Being only 3 years old, they are already making waves across the globe with their excellent selection of craft beers. Housing a great selection of core beers, they also release a new brew each and every week to keep their customers on the edge of their bar stools.
While this little brewery pumps out beers during the week across the country, come Saturday it opens up into a proper bar with a great atmosphere, so everyone gets to wet their whistles!
2. Soak up the sun and tuck into some lunch at The Locksbrook Inn
Just around the corner from the brewery lies a beautiful gastro pub with a stunning garden and delicious food! Perfect for soaking up the sun in the beer garden they have a varied menu and the food was top notch! Also, being slightly out of town, it hosts a very chilled vibe for you to sit back and relax on a summers day without the hustle and bustle you may find in the center.
3. Cool down with a tasty treat from Swoon Gelato
No summers day is complete without a scoop or two of homemade gelato! Swoon Gelato is located right in the center of Bath and offers something for everyone (don’t worry if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, they have 4 epic flavours for you! I recommend the chocolate and mango sorbets!)
4. Wet your whistle with some wine tasting at Le Vignoble
You really don’t have to ask me twice for a round of wine tasting! Snuggled upstairs in Milsom Place you’ll find Le Vignoble. Boasting a large selection of wines to drink in or take away along with the opportunity to try before you buy with their very reasonable priced Wine Tasting Courses which happen every Wednesday night (£15 for an hour and a half).
Their highly knowledgeable staff will turn even a novice into an up and coming wine connoisseur as they guide you through the taste, smell and look of some very tasty wines!
5. Indulge with a 3-course meal at Framptons
To soak up all that yummy wine, I can’t recommend Framptons enough for a tasty meal! The restaurant and bar itself is beautiful and the food certainly matches the decor when it comes to quality. I would recommend the lentil tagine paired with a glass of the house wine! If you wanted something a little more filling then the burgers I saw come out looked big enough to feed a family, so dig in!
6. Get the best views of Bath via your own Stand-up paddleboard with Original Wild
Not exactly what you expect from a visit to Bath, but that’s the point! Original Wild is a relatively new company which has taken Bath by storm! Whether you have zero balance or are a seasoned boarder, the crew are fun, friendly and whether you sit down or stand up for the ride, they make it special!
I for one couldn’t stand up after my legs went completely dead, however, we still enjoyed the ride as the sun started setting in front of us and we got a very unique viewpoint of Bath!
7. Stay at the beautifully renovated student halls at the University of Bath!
Now, I don’t know what your University Hall’s looked like, but mine certainly didn’t come close to those we stayed in! Flat screen TV’s, mood lighting, clean and powerful showers to wake you up, and yes, over the summer months (June to September), you can stay at the uni yourself for a great price (prices start at £36 per night and £50 for the quads). We stayed in Quads and were blown away by how fancy and spacious the halls were. The rooms are a standard size however they have had a makeover to make you forget you’re even at University! Also they cater for solo travellers, couples, familes and large groups.
The University of Bath is certainly beautiful. You can wander the grounds with an iced coffee for hours (make sure you visit the ducks, they even have their own Instagram account!) Not only that, but their leisure center made my jaw drop. It’s massive! We got to have a dip in the Olympic size swimming pool and I found out that guests are more than welcome to purchase a pass and use the facilities for themselves.
What about location? Well, they are a bit out of town (about 10 minutes by bus and 30 minutes on foot) but there is a bus which takes you straight into the heart of the action! I honestly think it is an epic way to stay as you get the best of both worlds and also get to experience what the local students do on a daily basis. You can easily book a room online here or you can call 01225 386622.
Have you been to Bath, or maybe you’re a local? What would you add to this list?
Disclaimer: This is a paid post by Visit Bath and the University of Bath. Of course, all opinions and views are honest and remain my own. Thank you both for showing me this epic side of your city!
